Farmer Body Demands Immediate Relief for Bereaved Family in Punjab
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) on Monday issued a strong demand for compensation, debt waiver, and employment opportunities for the widows of two farmer brothers from Faridkot, Punjab, who tragically died by suicide last week. The organization held protests outside land mortgage banks in Faridkot and Jaito, urging the government to provide immediate financial assistance to the grieving family.
Protests Highlight Deepening Agrarian Crisis
During the demonstrations, SKM (NP) called on banks to halt all coercive measures against indebted farmers, including proposed land auctions aimed at loan recovery. The outfit emphasized that such actions exacerbate the distress faced by farming communities already struggling under financial burdens.
The brothers, identified as Jaskaran Singh (38) and Jaswinder Singh (34) from Hari Nau village, died by suicide on March 23 by jumping in front of a moving train near Bahmanwala village near Kotkapura. Their deaths are attributed to the overwhelming pressure of mounting debt, which has become a critical issue in Punjab's agricultural sector.
Leaders Blame Government Failures
Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a leader of SKM (NP), stated that these suicides reflect the deteriorating conditions of small and marginal farmers in Punjab. He criticized both the central and state governments for their failure to make farming a viable livelihood.
Dallewal pointed out that the Centre has not provided a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) based on the C2+50% formula, a long-standing demand of farmers. Additionally, he accused the Punjab government of failing to deliver adequate support despite previous assurances, leaving farmers vulnerable to economic hardships.
Debt Burden and Agricultural Challenges
According to local villagers, the brothers owned approximately 2 acres of land and also cultivated leased land. However, they had accumulated a debt exceeding Rs 25 lakh, which they were unable to repay. Dallewal highlighted that rising input costs, poor returns on crops, and the lack of assured procurement beyond wheat and paddy are key factors pushing farmers deeper into a debt trap.
This situation underscores broader systemic issues in Indian agriculture, where farmers often face financial instability due to fluctuating market prices and insufficient government support mechanisms.
Protest Postponed Amid Talks
In a related development, SKM-NP has postponed its planned protest outside the residence of Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan. The organization cited ongoing discussions between the affected family and government representatives as the reason for the delay, indicating a potential avenue for dialogue and resolution.
The incident has reignited debates over farmer welfare and the urgent need for policy interventions to address the agrarian crisis in Punjab and across India.
